Crosby returns from groin injury

Associated Press

The Penguins captain missed four consecutive games because of a groin injury, but was in Pittsburgh's starting lineup Thursday night against the Florida Panthers.

Crosby, who was injured during Pittsburgh's 5-2 loss to the Washington Capitals on Feb. 22, has 23 goals and 56 assists in 60 games this season. The Penguins have won four straight without the star center.

Going into Thursday night's game, Florida was in sixth place in the Eastern Conference with 74 points, and Pittsburgh trailed the Panthers with 72 points. The Penguins, who have played 65 games, were in eighth place in the East, because the Rangers, who also have 72 points, have played 64 games.

He's only 17 but he can see the ice so well and he moves the puck and goes to the open ice all the time, so I just think he's a player that is ready to play in the NHL. I'm really looking forward to coaching someone like this.

— U.S. National Junior Team coach Ron Wilson on Auston Matthews, the projected No. 1 pick of the 2016 NHL Draft